Diverse Judicial Panel Named To Hear Prop. 8 Appeal

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The federal appeal of California’s gay marriage ban case will be decided by two judges appointed by Democratic presidents and one named by a Republican.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced Monday three judges on the panel that will hear arguments over Proposition 8 next week.

Judges Michael Hawkins, Stephen Reinhardt and N. Randy Smith were randomly assigned to consider if a lower court erred in overturning the voter-approved ban on same-sex nuptials. Proposition 8’s sponsors have appealed the August decision by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker.

Reinhardt, a Los Angeles resident, was appointed by President Jimmy Carter. Hawkins lives in Arizona and was appointed by President Bill Clinton. Smith, of Idaho, and was appointed by President George W. Bush.